Matthew 16:13 When Yeshua came into the territory around Caesarea Philippi, he asked his talmidim, “Who are people saying the Son of Man is?” 14 They said, “Well, some say Yochanan the Immerser, others Eliyahu, still others Yirmeyahu or one of the prophets.” 15 “But you,” he said to them, “who do you say I am?” 16 Shim‘on Kefa answered, “You are the Mashiach, the Son of the living God.” 17 “Shim‘on Bar-Yochanan,” Yeshua said to him, “how blessed you are! For no human being revealed this to you, no, it was my Father in heaven. 18 I also tell you this: you are Kefa,” [which means ‘Rock,’] “and on this rock I will build my Community, and the gates of Sh’ol will not overcome it. 19 I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. Whatever you prohibit on earth will be prohibited in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven.” 20 Then he warned the talmidim not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.(Complete Jewish Bible)
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Jesus asks, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" The responses vary. Up until now "some people" have been saying Jesus is a teacher, a prophet, an especially good man or a fire and brimstone preacher. But Jesus isn't interested in what "some people" are saying. He knows that his friends have looked and listened. They have seen him preach and teach and heal. They have heard the declarations of faith by Gentiles and sinners. They know how Jesus operates. Now, Jesus puts them on the spot and asks, "But who do you say that I am?"
Jesus isn't setting up his friends to fail. Instead, he's giving them the opportunity to speak out of their own experience. To risk becoming followers of this Jesus by speaking aloud and owning what they have heard and seen.
God of grace, you proclaim your love to us in your Holy One, Jesus. Keep announcing that love to us so that we can share God's love with others. Amen.
Jennifer Obermueller, '99
Pastor, St. John's Lutheran Parish of Bendena & Lancaster, Kansas
Matthew 16:13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?"
14 And they said, "Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets."
15 He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"
16 Simon Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God."
17 And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven.
18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.
19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."
20 Then he sternly ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah. (New Revised Standard Version)
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Jesus asks, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" The responses vary. Up until now "some people" have been saying Jesus is a teacher, a prophet, an especially good man or a fire and brimstone preacher. But Jesus isn't interested in what "some people" are saying. He knows that his friends have looked and listened. They have seen him preach and teach and heal. They have heard the declarations of faith by Gentiles and sinners. They know how Jesus operates. Now, Jesus puts them on the spot and asks, "But who do you say that I am?"
Jesus isn't setting up his friends to fail. Instead, he's giving them the opportunity to speak out of their own experience. To risk becoming followers of this Jesus by speaking aloud and owning what they have heard and seen.
God of grace, you proclaim your love to us in your Holy One, Jesus. Keep announcing that love to us so that we can share God's love with others. Amen.
Jennifer Obermueller, '99
Pastor, St. John's Lutheran Parish of Bendena & Lancaster, Kansas
Matthew 16:13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?"
14 And they said, "Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets."
15 He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"
16 Simon Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God."
17 And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven.
18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.
19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."
20 Then he sternly ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah. (New Revised Standard Version)
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